RUFF RIDER
ROCKY the maltese terrier turns heads almost every day but it’s not just because of his good looks and silky coat.
The eight-year-old pup is often a passenger on his mum’s motorcycle when she cruises up Tamborine Mountain or visits local Gold Coast hot spots.
Angie Bagley said she was quite often stopped by people wanting to photograph Rocky who sits in a crate strapped to the back of her Honda CBR500R.
“A lot of people film and video Rocky. Sometimes I’ll see cars manoeuvre through traffic to catch up, so I’ll purposely slow down to let people have a look,” Ms Bagley said.
“It’s not uncommon to get a beep. People smile even when he’s on the bicycle. Sometimes he wears a bow tie, it’s a little embarrassing,” she said with a laugh.
“I get a real buzz when people enjoy it.”
Ms Bagley said she introduced Rocky to the noise of her motorcycle before sitting him in the crate to gauge his reaction.
“One day I put a crate on the back and put him in it and he enjoyed it. Then I started taking him up to the top of Tamborine Mountain. I normally only sit on about 80 or 90km/h.
“At first I thought I had lost him because I couldn’t see him, but he was tucked down behind me because his eyes would water.
“So I got onto a company that makes goggles for animals. We wear them religiously.”
The Gold Coast local said she took Rocky most places since COVID-19 enforced border closures and travel restrictions and encouraged others to include their pet during family outings.
“Take them out and let them enjoy that picnic with you or while you’re spending family time together.
“It’s beautiful when people bring their animals and children down to the market or for a swim at the beach. I really embrace that sort of thing.”
Follow Rocky’s adventure on Instagram @rocky_rides